AUGUST 21, 2020
For some time now, I have been attempting to write down questions each one of us might have in navigating life. As we have said before, “Life is Difficult but Life is Good.” I hope you choose to look at life this way. If you do, you will probably start with how thankful you are for those people that have guided your journey. (Write down their names and thank them) Try to think bigger and include God in this list as he has been doing his job your entire life. Remember, it’s not about you anyway. It is about HIM or them. (others)
You have heard me use the theme, How are you “Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning and what Legacy will you leave?” I still have a lot of questions in my quest for self-actualization, but have come to realize that God is in charge and he has allowed me the freedom to express myself with these remarks in hopes of having each one of you find your own purpose and then become the best you can be. We will call this optimizing. Words relating to optimize include; advance, upgrade, develop, improve, help, reform, increase, lift (there’s that Elevator Guy again), better, enhance, raise, polish and best. Our purpose in life is to live life with a “Good Soul.” (Aristotle) The “secret weapon” is LOVE! How are you optimizing your life today? Does it include Love? (Try including Laughing and Learning as well)
As we have discussed before, Abraham Maslow’s famous quote is, “What one can be, one must be.” His hierarchy of needs chart is what each one of us go through in life. We go forward and fall back. But the highest point on his chart is “Self-Actualization.” Knowing WHO you are and optimizing your strengths and SOUL. We all want to put our best foot forward when we begin a new relationship or to improve on our present relationships. In order to connect, we need to show others WHO we are and what we stand for. Be genuine about it because most people can see a phony a mile away.
I have been studying psychology (the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior) for a while now and found a great word that I love. “Eudaimonia (Greek) implies a positive and divine state of being that humanity is able to strive toward and possibly reach.” If you want to understand what it is to be HAPPY, google this word and study what it may mean to you. I look at it as “Positive Psychology.” Outside of Eudaimonia being translated as happiness or welfare, you can also find it to mean, “Human Flourishing or Prosperity.” Isn’t that what most of the world is seeking? “Eu” = Good. “daimon” = Spirit. What a great way to look at life with a GREAT SPIRIT. (I like great better than good.)
Are you living life with a Good Spirit or are you all tied up into worrying about things out of your control? (Fears) Of course, the opposite of Good is Evil. Yes, we may see our evil side come out to attack and protect our precious ego at times. But hopefully you can see this when it happens (Self-Awareness) and adjust your thinking into understanding that there is STILL a lot of GOOD in the world. Go looking for trouble and you just might find it. Go looking for GOOD and you will find it. (It is all in our own perspective) Choose to look for the good in people rather than all the negative things you may hate about yourself. Remember, you are special so don’t compare yourself to others. They have their own problems.
More next week on questions you might want to ask yourself in living with a Good Soul. They will include loving, laughing, and learning. The end result will be what you will leave behind in this world.
Think about it. What do YOU want to leave behind? Start today to address your issues. Find a mentor, a friend, a spouse, a therapist, or a family member to share your thoughts. Don’t judge one-another. Just be there for them. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Elevator Guy